Changing the Narrative

Olumide Popoola launches ‘When We Speak of Nothing’ in Lagos

November 17, 2017

Olumide Popoola has launched her debut novel ‘When We Speak of Nothing’ in Lagos.

Hosted by Classic FM #BookOnReview host, Benjamin Okoh, the event that held on the 16th of November in Victoria Island was attended by art and book lovers. Published by Cassava Republic Press, the book “launches a powerful new talent with a stream of consciousness prose, peppered with contemporary slang that captures what it means to be young, black and queer in London.”

Popoola gave an intimate explanation of the inspiration behind the book adding that Esu Elegba, a Yoruba god, was the inspiration behind the book and that the novel is voice driven; marked by its use of stream of conscious.

In a quick chat with The Rustin Times she spoke on why the book is important in present day Nigeria.

“I think there are many interesting and important issues there. First is trans visibility and speaking about LGBT characters in a hopeful and in a positive manner. What I really tried to do is to reverse the idea that the West is so fantastic for LGBT people all the time and that Nigeria has no niches or pockets where you can express yourself… I think if you see yourself reflected that is quite powerful and that happened for me as well. It was very important when I saw myself reflected in literature. I think that can give you the hope and the notion that there are so many people like you and it is a normal thing and that there is something wrong with society and not you”

Olumide Popoola added that the future of Literature and Arts in Nigeria is exciting due to the fact that diverse stories are being told across board.

Check out the photos from the event. Afro-soul singer, OloriAfrica, performed at the event while spoken word and rap artiste, Eva Johnson, performed series of poetry that intimately explored gender, femininity and love.